A/N: I am finally back again. Going to try and update within 10 days because I am not extremely busy at the moment. Let's hope it stays that way!
Read and review, please. :)
Damon's eyes were fixed on the laptop screen. He was disappointed, of course he was, but it was nothing that he hadn't expected. As tons of results loaded up, all his eyes could see was one thing: that the effects that the drug was going to leave on the poor females were horrifying.
He took a deep breath and sipped on his drink, and then decided to swallow it at once—something that he was used to doing, by then. The drug was being manufactured discreetly, but he could tell that some of the information had already been leaked online. It only added to his worries. He scrolled down, trying not to wince. Most researchers had already concluded that there was indeed a long process ahead, both to administer the drug and for it to work.
He stopped for a minute, his hands itching for another drink. How could he fund that kind of research? How could he allow a law that would only serve to impregnate females who already knew nothing but abuse?
And yet his selfish side kicked in. If he did what Elijah asked, Elena would be safe. He could finally keep his word, he could finally protect her. You owe her. That phrase had been taunting him for months, years…He owed her.
With trembling hands, he took his phone out of his pocket and dialed Elijah's number.
"Have a seat, Damon," Elijah spoke with his normal calm voice. It was as if nothing mattered, the world could be dying and he wouldn't give a crap. He ordered one of his slaves to bring a scotch for Damon and then turned to face him. "I didn't think you'd contact me, certainly not this quickly."
"This isn't official," The younger Salvatore spoke. "I have some things to ask you."
"Ask away," Elijah said, intrigued.
"Let's say that I agree, that I fund your research," Damon said, "And you start making this drug available. What if some of the masters decide not to use it? Surely not every master will find the idea of a pregnant slave appealing."
"Who wouldn't want free slaves?" Elijah asked.
"The kind of master who cares about his slave," Damon said quickly.
"I'm sure that won't be a problem," Elijah shrugged. "This concept will work. All I need is your support. Think about it, Damon. As I said, less kidnappings, more safety. It's only a small price to pay. Most of the slaves are being abused anyway. Might as well start getting something out of it," He said, repeating the same words he had said when he proposed it.
Damon squeezed the bridge of his nose, a wave of nausea washing over him.
"I don't get why you wouldn't jump at this opportunity, Damon. You have always claimed that you disliked injustice. I do too. Think about the lives saved. There will be regulations. Less slaves on the markets. Elena would be safe. I will even take care of your father for you, if you want me to." Elijah gave him a pointed look.
At that, Damon's head shot up.
"What? Think I can't do it? Just say the words. I can do whatever I want. I have power, I have a name…I just wish that we can do this together. We'd make a great team."
"I'm worried about all those slaves and babies growing up like Elena did. That is my problem, Elijah," He spat. Then, he stopped himself. Why was he angry at a vampire for not having any regard for human life? It was only natural. If anything, he was the strange one.
"I have a proposition," Damon suddenly blurted out.
"I'm listening."
"What if we toughen the laws? Ensure humane treatment, maybe even have the masters set the slaves free after several years of service?"
"You mean like a law, make the masters free their slaves after a few years?"
"I'm thinking assigning a maximum period a slave can serve…10 years, maybe."
"I'm not sure the masters would agree to that, Damon. 10 years for a vampire are nothing."
"They won't be paying a dollar for their slaves," Damon reminded him. "What if we make it mandatory? We don't need to ask for everyone's support."
"Yes, because dictatorship always works well within the vampire race."
"The law is the law. It shouldn't be there to please everybody," Damon reasoned. "We just have to find a board with similar ideologies. A system of governance. As you said, the humans will fight eventually. It would be better for everyone if we hold truces. Of course, we will always be superior, we will always get more benefits, but if we offer some incentives I think this system could work."
"Incentives?"
"Monetary compensation to slaves after their years of service? Guaranteed freedom from slavery? Something like that. As you said, we need each other. The Board will listen to you, they value you. I can't say it's the same thing in my case."
Elijah thought about it for a second, and then shook his head. "I disagree on that last part, Damon. Humans shouldn't have to be compensated. Vampires shouldn't have to pay, we still got the upper hand in this."
"Wouldn't it be better if we make it a little more bearable for the humans?"
"I'm afraid you're making this sound like a fantasy," Elijah dismissed. "With humane treatment, yes, I do agree. Maybe even freedom after several years of service," He continued as an afterthought. "Regarding the monetary compensation I don't think that it is in our best interest."
Damon decided not to argue, he was more than content that he had managed to get Elijah to agree with him on two things.
"So, do we have an agreement?" Elijah asked after several minutes of silence.
"And how would this process work?" Damon asked, ignoring his question. "Elena does not want to go to a safe house. She refuses to go anywhere unless I am by her side."
"Then I will make sure that both of you will be protected from Giuseppe. As I said, I can make your father disappear. I can make him leave town. I can also make him disappear completely," He emphasized, looking at Damon. "I will support you and back you up, I can give you back your long lost power. You will be the true governor, and you can decide and proceed against those who treat slaves inhumanely. I know a lot of people, Damon, and with a little bit of convincing, the board will start eating out from your hand. No one would dare question why Elena is treated more like a companion rather than a slave. No one would question you. You will be feared and respected."
Elijah took a deep breath and sipped on his drink. "You won't simply be the 'boy with a title', Damon. You will be a true governor."
"And you are willing to give me all of this, if I fund your research? That's all you need? No hidden costs, no secret agendas?"
"As I said, I just need your support." Elijah clarified, "Financial support, someone on my side in the case of an election...you get the drift."
Damon felt rage surging up inside his features. He hated the fact that he couldn't protect Elena all by himself. He hated the fact that he needed someone else's help, but Elijah was right. With his status, he couldn't run. Wherever he went, he was sure that people would follow. The media, the Board…They would all stop at nothing to bring him back to that godforsaken town. He still had plenty of years to go before he could quit, before he could just take Elena and run. He had duties to fulfill, people depending on him…and yet he didn't have the power. At least not really.
He could do anything he wanted, because he was the governor, and yet he could do absolutely nothing. Bitter irony, Damon thought.
"I will let you know," Damon finished lamely, downing what was left of the whisky.
Damon didn't head home right away. Instead, he sat in his car, pondering and reflecting about his life. In times like these, he'd miss his mother. She was pure and kind, she would've helped him decide how to proceed. One thing that he did know for sure though was that Elena would always be in danger. Had he been any other vampire, it would've been so easy to disappear, to even blend in with the humans in Europe, or in Asia. Anywhere was better than the nightmare they had both been living.
He was now sure that he needed someone's help, and Elijah was offering everything that he needed. Support. He knew that Elijah could say the words and no one would dare question him again, not even the Board. Elena could be free, she could walk in the streets that he ran without fear.
He had to accept. For her sake. And then, he would deal with his father, make sure that he stayed the hell away from them. It was his job, his duty towards the girl who had suffered simply because she had decided not to leave him all those years before.
"Don't worry, Elena," He whispered, "I'm going to make this right."
When Damon got home, it was around one in the morning. It had started to rain and Damon was soaked from head to toe, eager to hop in the shower and wear something comfortable. The house was silent and it was dark—There were no lights, not even the ones on the patio seemed to be working. He unlocked the front door and walked in, rummaging through his pockets, hoping to find his phone and put it on silent. He needed a good night's sleep, without any interruptions, without anyone reminding him of his duties.
"Hello, son."
At that, Damon's blood turned into ice. He froze, knowing all too well whose voice it was and yet having no courage or power whatsoever to force his body to face him. He felt sick to the stomach.
"What? Can't you offer your father a drink?" The man sighed dramatically. "I didn't expect a 'hello dad you're still alive' party, but I did expect a shot of gin. After all, it's my gin," He gave him a smirk.
"What father?" Damon spat through his teeth, his fists closed tightly together.
"You're hurting my feelings, Damon, let's not forget I raised you, your last name is proof of that."
Giuseppe walked towards Damon's tumbler, poured himself a drink and threw himself on the couch. "You can relax, son, I'm not here to cause any trouble. I'm here because I wanted to see you."
"Well, in that case, you can leave," Damon uttered, finally finding the switch. He turned the lights on. "I have nothing to say to you."
"Oh, but I do, Damon." Giuseppe put the glass down, and crossed his hands in front of him. "Your friend Tyler is missing."
Damon held his breath.
"He's been missing for a while now."
"I know," Damon said through clenched teeth. "I still come to town for work. I'm not out of the picture."
Giuseppe raised his hands up in defeat. "I know, I know. Though I have to admit, I was hurt that you decided to leave our glorious mansion for this." He looked around him, disgust evidence in his face.
"I think it is time for you to go," Damon moved closer to him, his blue eyes menacing.
"Oh, but I really do want to know the details!" Giuseppe laughed sarcastically. "I would love it if you could tell me how you murdered Tyler Lockwood, how that supposedly noble bastard Elijah is covering for you, and how you are throwing your life away for that unconscious whore upstairs!"
At that, Damon charged at his father, the force of his vampire speed taking the elder Salvatore off guard. He crashed them both into the wall as he started to throw punches aimlessly at Giuseppe, who laughed the entire time.
"What have you done to Elena?" Damon hissed, "Where is she?"
"Oh, I have done nothing to her," Giuseppe laughed evilly as Damon continued to beat him. "Not yet, anyway. But I will. We will. Soon enough."
At that, Damon punched him harder. "If you hurt Elena, I swear that I will kill you this time!"
"And my friends have strict instructions that if I don't return, they are to send a little brown envelope over to the Board. I have everything, Damon. Elijah wasn't the only one who saw you that night. It's all on tape—how you beat up a fellow vampire to save a human. It could destroy you," He grinned evilly. "Not even Elijah would get you out of that mess. A governor who kills his people!" Giuseppe started laughing harder, spitting out blood as Damon threw another punch at him. "Have I told you, that it was my idea? I gave Tyler the pill. Had he succeeded, he would've impregnated your pretty little bitch and trust me…you would have been destroyed. I can't see you waking up at four in the morning to help your precious little Elena pump out breast milk."
At that, Giuseppe laughed harder. "Such a stupid little boy. Do you think you honestly have a future with her? She's human. One small mistake and you can break several bones. What about when she is all old and wrinkly? I'm sure you wouldn't want to introduce her as your grandmother. And what if she turns on you? You know she can, right? Her family are a bunch of hunters…."
"Shut up! Shut up!" Damon yelled as he kicked his father in the gut.
"You can kick and hit me all you want, Damon," He spat out a tooth. "But it won't change a fucking thing. Elena has destroyed you. You could've been great. And now, you are a murderer. It is disgusting," He looked at him with disgust in his eyes. "Fix this now or so help me god I will destroy you!"
"You want me to be like you?" Tears welled up in Damon's eyes even though he didn't want to cry. "You killed my mom! You raped Elena! Is this who you want me to be? A killer? A rapist?"
"I want you to be someone I can count on, someone strong and tough!" Giuseppe growled. "Hand Elena over to me. I will sell her on the slave market tomorrow and you can have your second chance. I will destroy the tape, but Elena has to go."
"You are insane!"
"She'll be better off with another vampire. At least she'll be put to good use!" Giuseppe hissed cruelly.
"You disgust me," Damon said. "I should've ended you a long time ago."
"Oh, Damon…" Giuseppe finally said, seeming resigned. "I honestly wish that there had been another way."
Damon didn't even get the chance to speak, because he felt something pricking his chest, missing his heart by a few inches. Then, he felt a numbness wash over him, followed by a burning sensation. He tried to speak, but it was as if he were completely paralyzed.
"Shh, Damon…Don't worry. It's just a little vervain. We are going to have so much fun tonight," Giuseppe hushed, grabbing Damon by the neck. He wrapped rope around his wrists and started to slowly and calmly drag him behind, towards the second floor.
"We are going to settle this like men."
Can Damon trust Elijah? What will Elena think of Damon, if he accepts Elijah's deal? What does Giuseppe have in mind?